Just read this on www.rally-live.com/en/
don't know the exact outcome or what or may not happen after the '05 WRC Season...

Peugeot and Citroën will stop beyond 2005 !
due to tougher conditions in the car market [04/11/04 - 13:37]

In five consecutive years of competition in the World Rally Championship, Peugeot and Citroën has won five manufacturers titles and three drivers titles. These results reflect the diligent, passionate determination of each marque, backed by a substantial financial commitment to motor sports competition.
Due to tougher conditions in the car market, new opportunities in motor sports will be reviewed in 2005, with a view to enabling the Group to significantly cut its sports budgets.
Peugeot and Citroën will remain strongly committed to the World Rally Championship in 2005.
However, PSA Peugeot Citroën has decided that the marques will no longer take part in the WRC beyond that date.
At the appropriate time, Citroën Sport and Peugeot Sport will announce the sports in which they will participate after 2005.

Press release
PSA Peugeot Citroen

 

Thats awful news

Hopefully by that time Suzuki, Renault and/or Fiat will come to the WRC (and Hyundai as well). There are supposed to be 2 new manufacturers in 2006 (not including Hyundai's return in 2006).

 

Which two?? Those two companies really made Subaru strive in recent years. Hopefully Loeb will stick with WRC...him vs. Solberg vs. Martin could be a nice matchup for many years.

 

No one knows yet. There are strong rumors floating around about all 3.

 

Oh my. The world's economy is going to pot isn't it?
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PSA said that their investment in WRC, although great and very successful, didn't equate to more sales the way they thought it should.

 

I guess passion is a dinosaur in modern professional motorsports. Teams have become so expensive to fund, field, and operate that there can be no frivolous participation. There needs to be an effect due to the cause. Be careful what we wish for as spectators/fan when demanding the highest level of performance and competition, right? What a conundrum.
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